US2296161A

US2296161A - Lateral drill for wells

Info

Publication number: US2296161A
Application number: US364079A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr James D Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-11-02
Filing date: 1940-11-02
Publication date: 1942-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 1959-09-15

Description

'sePt- 15, 1942 J. D.HA| L, .1R v2,296,161

LATERAL DRILL FOR WELLS Filed Nov. 2, `1940 2 Sheets-Sheet` l f ff SIW/man Sept. 15, 1942; f Ju D, ||,L\| l JRv 2,296,161 LATERAL DRILL FOR wELLs y Filed Nov. 2; 1940 2 sheets-sheet 2 paniers... '15,1942

lUNITED STATES PATENT FFICE Y A 2.231 A Larimer. nam. ron i Jamel D. Ball, Jr., Cubana-Tex. applleaiikon Novehber z, 1046, serial No. mme j 1e cleim. lol. :s1-1.a)

` tion taken in connection with the accompanying 'rhinA invention relates generally to the close or well drilling and pertains particularly to improvements in-devices for forming lateral bores vin the earth from the lower part of a well hole.

In well drilling operations it irequentlyoccurs that .the oil production of the well is seriously retarded as a result of particularearth formations surrounding the well hole. Under these circumstances it is necessaryto breakout the earth from aroundthe well hole and this is done.-

in a number of diilerent ways such as by the use of dynamite or other explosive.

'I'he present` invention has for its primary object to provide an improved form of lateral drill mechanism bymeans of which any number of bores or passages `may be formed in the earth radially of the well hole at desired elevationsso that the oil in the surrounding formation' may@ again flow freely into the well hole to be removedl according to the usual methods. l

Another object of the invention is .to provide a lateral ldrill mechanism in which Va drill head may be extended longitudinally through the well hole and causedv to turn at a 90 angle thereto and rigidly held whilelit is rotated to cut into the earth, the holding means for the drill being Vsuch that the drill can be turnedand made to enter the earthwithout the possibility of itshifti'ngout e `which the ilexible'drill stem passes to the wall oi' the well hole so that such stem maybe rotated without buckling or breaking.

Still another-object is to provide alateral drill mechanism in which ailexible drill stem guide and a ilexible drill head carrying stem are asembled in a novel manner in a rigid guide casing so that they may be conveniently introduced into a. well hole` while in parallel or coaxial relation andlthen` extended from the casing laterally into, the well hole .so that the drill may be causedv to enter the wall of the well hole at a desired elevation.

still another object le io provide in a laterar drill Vmechanism ofthe above described character, a construction wherein a reverse circulation may be employed for removing from the well hol'e'the cuttings 0i.' the formation into head penetrates.

'I'he invention will be best understood from a or-"modied aolong as such changes or modiiica 1 tionsl mark no material departureirom the salient features -of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a view inv longitudinal section on the lower part of a well hole showing partially in side elevation and partially in section the mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is ia view. partially inlongitudinal section and partially in side elevation of the exible l' drill stem vand a portion of the rigid drlllstem with which it is connected, together with a sectional view of thev drill head.

Fig. 3v is a longitudinal sectional view through ,a portion of a group` of the hingedly coupled rings makingup a part of the drill stem structure.'

Fig. 4 is asectional view on the line I4 of 5 is' a longitudinal section through the lower portion of the guide casing'showing the extended ilexible bit guide rand a portion of the extended `ilexihle drill stem in side elevation.l

Fig.' `li isadetailed longitudinal section through aportion of the' guide casing showing details of construction relating to the guide roller and assooiated Drts.

Fig. I is a view in elevation of oneside of the ilexible. bit guide showing the latching .means between the sections thereof.

Fia. 7.

rig. s is a sectional view on the line of F18. 9 is a Referringnow more particularly tothe drawings, the numeral I designates the earth wall of awell hole into which holeis shownextended the casing 2. Through this casing the drill mechanisml embodying the present invention is l lowered intolthe lower end of the well hole so that which 'the drill f the drill of the mechanism mayenter the `earth@ wall below the casing, as illustrated in Fig. l.

This drillfmechanism is made up ofthree prirmary units, `which comprise the rigid guide casing indicated as a whole by the numeral). the partially iiexible and partially rigidbitlstem guide or bit guide, which is indicated. 'ger"i'eral ly' j by the numeral l and the ilexibledrill'stem upon consideration of the following detailed descripone end of which the drill head is carried. indi-` sectional view on the line 9+! of cated as a whole by the numeral 5. This flexible stem is connected at its other end with the drill pipe or rigid drill stem, which is indicated by thel numeral 6.

The guide housing 3 comprises the relatively long cylindrical body 'l which is lowered into the well hole'to assume a vertical position therein, as shown in Fig. 1, and the lower end of this body has adjustably secured thereto the supporting foot 8 by means of which the position of the body and of the drilling mechanism as a whole may be set, so as to cause the drill or bit to enter the earth wall at a desired elevation.

The wall of the tubular body is provided at a desired location above the `lower end of the body with the opening 9 and there extends from the lower edge of this opening upwardly into the body to merge with the -wall of they body upon the side thereof opposite from the opening, the curved floor Ill, see Figs. 5.and 6, which functions as a guide means for the flexible'bit guide when the same is lowered through the guide casing, causing the bit guide to turn outwardly through an arc of approximately 90 so that the drill may enter the earth wall on a line perpendicular to the axis of the well hole.

Adjacent the lower end of the floor I0, an opening II is formed, see Fig. 6, in which is se cured the open top of a box I2 which/houses a coil spring I3 and a follower I4, which rests upon the spring and which is pressed outwardly by them a roller I6 which includes the two circularor roller bodies I1 which are connected together by a central bar I8 and the axially extending trunnions I9, the ends of which are loosely engaged in the guides I5, as shown in Fig. 9. These guides for the roller I6 extend from the box I2 to substantially the upper end of the curved portion of the floor I0, and from this' point on through the length of the guide casing there ally joined together as indicated at 26, so that the several sections making up` the flexible por tion of the bit guide are hingedly joined togetherV and these hinge ribs 25 are located in and slide in the guide groove 2L The lower or last one of the hinge'ribs 25 in the series, here indicated by the numeral 25', Fig. 5, terminates in a hook 26 which is adapted to engage with the bar I8 forming a part of the roller I6. This engagement t against the spring I3 and thus the roller will be partially removed from the path of the hingedly connected ribs of the portions 23 of theA bit guide and allow the bit guide to move inwardly or outwardly with respect to the casing. As the bit guide, each portion has a pair of ears 21 formed are formed the spaced parallel ribs 20, Fig. 8,

which provide a guide groove 2| for the purpose hereinafter described.

At the top of the opening 9 there are mounted upon the inner side of the wall of the guide casing the two rollers 22, Figs. 6 and 8. These roller's are supported upon substantially parallel axes which extend transversely of the casing and the peripheries of the rollers are spaced apart, as shown in Figs. '7 and 8. As is also vshown in Fig. 8, these rollers are directly opposite from the ribs 20, so that the space 'between the rollers substantially is diametrically opposite the guide groove 2|.

The flexible guide 4 for the drill stem 5 is made up of a plurality of short cylindrical segments -or sections 23, the ends of which are cut at a slight oblique angle to the axis so that when such sections are in alined relation as shown in the upper part of Fig. 5, they will be in contacting relation upon one side of the tubular body which they combine to form and through the major part of their opposed edges, they will be in spaced relation as indicated at 24. At the back of each of the sections 23, there is formed a rib 25 which extends at its ends beyond the ends of the section. These'extended ends of the ribs are pivot- Vthe tail piece 34.

which extend above its top edge and which receive between themthe adjacent edge of the next .portion. These ears serve to maintain the portions in the proper alinement particularly after lthe edges thereof have been brought into abutting relation when the guide is bent into the curve shown in Fig. 5, as it passes downwardly along the curved oor l0.

`The formation of the guide' into the curve or bend shown in Fig. 5 and its maintenance in this condition is accomplished by means of a series of latches which are carried upon the sides of the portions 23 of the bit guide opposite from the hinge ribs 25. As shown in Fig. 7 each of these portions 23 carries a pair of latches, one latch of the pair being indicated by the numeral 28 and the other by 'the numeral 29. As shown, each of the latches is pivotalIy supported upon a pivot pin 30 and the latch 28 is provided with a bill 3| and two longitudinally spaced

notches

32 and 33, all of which are at one side of the pivot pin on which the latch rocks. The opposite end portion of the latch .28 is extended to form p pair has a bill 35 adjacent its pivot and a notch 36 adjacent the end thereof which is nearest the pivot for the coacting latch 28 and which is also nearest to the bill 3| of the coacting latch 23.

- Upon the opposite side ofV the pivot 30 for the latch 29, this latch is formed to provide a straight tail piece 31. As is shown in Fig. 7, the pivots 30 for the pair of latches upon each section 23 are spaced longitudinally of the section and they are offset only slightly from a line running longitudinally of the section. Also each of the latches has its tail portion at a slight angle with respect to the other end portion and thus it will be seen that when the tail portions are in parallel relation as the upper pair of latches of Fig. 'I is shown, the latches will be out f coupled relation.

'I'he other latch 23 of each ,l

ner hereinafter described bya roller 4 22 as the latch passes the roller.

As is shown in Fig. 7, each portion 28 of the lflexible guide has the latch 28 thereon disposed entirely or fully between the'ends of the portion vwhile the adjacent latch 28 has one half of its Vbodyov'erlying the adjacent side of the portion 28 to which it is attached while the other half the pipe 48, as shown in Fig. 1. The total length of this guide depends entirely on the amount of weight desired to force the guide to follow the bit succesfully, therefore, it will be readily unoi'ythislatch extends beyond the adjacent end.

oi the'supporting portion and across the end of the next vvfollowing portion. This extended `notched part or-head. oi' the latch 28 moves toward the latchingpin 88 ofthe following or portion of-this latch, so as to swing the head into parallel relation with 'the guide and the head portion of the associate latch 28 is likewise `sw'u'ng into parallel relation' with the axis of the guide when it passesj across the adjacent roller 22. l, From this, it will be readily seen that as each pair ,of latches moves between the latch closing rollers 22, the heads of the latches `will be swung into parallel relation so that the bill 8l oteach latch 28 will be oscillated into the receivingnotch 88 of tl e adjacent latch 28 and the bill 85 of each latch 28 will be oscillated into the receiving notch 88 of the adjacent latch 28. Atthe sametime Veach of the latchingpins 88 willbe engaged in a notch 82 oi' the preceding latch 28.v This vclosing and interlocking of the latches occurs. also as the portions 28 of the guide advance onto the curve of the upper part of theiloor` III so that the gap between the adiacent ends of the`portions 28 is closed and the latches simultaneously hooked together, in which position theyremain to hold the portions in the curved relationin which they are shown in the lower part of Fig. 5. When the latches are thus coupled together, it` will be seen'that the tail portions 84 and 81 thereof will be directed outwardly vor `obliquely 'to the"a`xial center of the guide and thus it will be understood that as the guide isidrawn back or retracted into the casing 8, the latches will be disconnected Aone from another asthey pass between the rollersv 22 since therollersywill force the tail portions of the latches' inwardly into parallel relation and will l swing the heads .of the latches outwardly.

The supporting pins 88 for the pair of latches upon each guide portion 28 secure in place over the latches a cover or cap plate 88, which isl gagedposition as described.

The upper portion of. the guide 4 comprises a straight pipe section 4 8, Fig. 1, to the lower end of whichfthe segments or portions 28 are connected. This pipe portion ofthe guidemoves derstood that the length of the pipe 48 and of the section of the guide made up of the segments 28 mayvaryin diierent devices.

Since it is necessary thatthe bit used in connection with this mechanism be of exact size to permit theV` guide to follow it into the new hole where it begins its turning operation and also to allow itto `be drawn up inside of the guide case, itis necessary to employ a means for holding the guidey in a straight position and steady so that there will be no side play, and since there is not suillcient room between the bit when it is in the guide case andi the iioor of the guide 4case for a fixed groove -such as is indicated by the numeral down into-the upper end of the guide casing v-8,

vasshown in Fig; 1`, and for a portion of its length starting-atthe upper end, this'pipe section is increased in diameter, as indicated at 4t, to receivefthecouplings on the drill stem 8. Also the casing or with the collar 42 which is fitted in the upper end` of the casing and snugly encircles 2| in Fig."8, use is made of the spaced guides i5 andthe guide vroller 18, which is held by such guides 4in working position.

'Ihe flexible drill stem 5 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This flexible stem, which is `coupled with the lower end of the drill stem or pipe 8, is made up of a series of rings 43, the edges of which are deined by a number of wide square teeth 44 which intermesh with the teeth of the other rings. The inner surfaces of the teeth of the rings are provided with the circumferentially extending grooves 45, Figs. 2 andA 3, and when the ring teeth are in intermeshed or interconnected relation. these grooves aline to form complete circles in which are placed the resilient coupling rings 48 which lock the rings 43 together but permit them to have a degree of relative movement so that they form a flexible tube. The uppermost one of the rings 43 is of special form and is indicated by the numeral 43 and `this upper ring is interiorly enlarged and screw threaded, as indicated at 41,- to threadably receive the lower end of the stem 8. Also at the inner-end oi' the enlarged portion 41 of the ring 48', there is formed a shoulder 48 for the purpose hereinafter stated. The lowermost one of the flexible guide rings 48 is also of special form, as is indicated by the numeral 43", this ring being exteriorly threaded, as indicated at 49. The ring 48"v is threaded into the hollow drill head 58 which has water passing `apertures 5i leading through the'tip thereof.

The lrings. 48, 48 and 48" have axially extending passages 5I therethrough and through these passages extend steel cables 52 which thread the rings together. The teeth in these

rings

48, 48 and 48V" are odset slightly from one another so that they do not run in a parallel line lengthwise of the ilexible stem but are slightly staggered around the stem so that the cables makea complete turn around the tubular portion or core ofl thestem about every ve or six. feet. This'keeps the tension the same on all of the cables while the device is in operation. Sufficient play in the cables is allowed for to make one bend only.

Lining the interior. of the rings -'and of the tubular body which they combine to form' is an oil-proof rubber tube or hose 53. The upper end of this hose is turned outwardly -over the vshoulder 48 andis pressed against the shoulder by the lower end ofthe stem 6 which, as shown, bears against a washer 54 which is inserted between the lend of the stem and the upper end this shoulder and is pressed thereagainst by the portion 56 of the drill which bears against a washer 51 interposed between this portion of the drill and the end of the ring 43".

Lining the rubber hose and preventing 'the same from collapse inside of the tube formed by the coupled toothed rings, is a coiled metal lining strip 58 which forms a complete metal tube inside of the hose. The upper and lower ends of this metal tube are anged, as-indicated at 59 in Fig. 2, and these flanges are forced against the out-turned ends of the rubber tube so that they also take part in pressing the ends of the rubber tube against the shoulders of the enclosing rings thereby forming a seal at the ends of the rubber tubing which prevents the iiuid which surrounds the outside of the flexible drill stem under pressure from entering the stem -at these places.

In the operation of the present lateraldrill mechanism, any suitable above-ground equipment is used, such as is commonly employed in drill in and clean-out work for establishing a reverse circulation system through the well hole and through the drill mechanism. By this system the circulating fluid is forced down into the well around the drill stem to the bit where it picks up the cuttings made by the bit and carries them out through the drill stem by way of the bit openings 5| and the passage through the iiexible portion 5 and the drill stem pipe 6.

From l the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the mechanism herein described provides a r strong, durable and. reliable means for forming lateral drill holes in the earth wall at the lower end of a well hole and that such`mechanism is designed to function smoothly and without the possibility of trouble developing which might necessitate leaving any part of the equipment in the well hole.

What is claimed is:

1. A drilling mechanism for wells, comprising a tubular casing adapted to be disposed vertically in the lower end of a well hole and having a side opening, a drill stem coaxial with and f adapted to extend into the casing, a iiexible tubular extension upon vthe lower end of said stem, a bit upon the end of said extension and having water openings communicating with the interior of the extension, and a segmented tubular guide movable through the casing and through said opening to extend laterally therefrom to a Working position and having said tubular extension therein and extensible from the lower end thereof after the guide has stopped in said working position for the penetration of the bit into the Wall of the hole. 2. A drilling mechanism for wells, comprisin a tubular casing adapted to be disposed vertically in the lower end of a well hole and having a side opening, a drill stem coaxial with and extensible into the casing, a exibletubular extension upon the lower end of the drill stern, an apertured drill head upon the lower end of the flexible ex' tension andopening thereinto, a guide for and enclosing said flexible extension, said flexible ex- 3. A lateral drilling mechanism for wells, comprising a tubular casing adapted to be disposed vertically in the lower end of a well hole and having a side wall opening, a tubular guide within the casing and including a lower end portion of flexible construction for extension laterally from the casing through/said wall opening into a xed working position, means for bending said tubular portion of the guide in an arc as it is extended from the casing through said'opening, means for holding said tubular portion rigid after it has been bent into and throughout the full extent of ysaid arc, a iiexible tubular bit stem slidable through and extensible from the lower end of .said guide, after the same is iixed, a bit upon the lower end of said bit stem, and a drill stem extending into the guide and connected with the bit stem, said bit having apertures leading into the bit stem and said bit stem being retractible into the casing with the guide.

4. A lateral drilling mechanism for wells, comprising a tubular casing adapted to be disposed vertically in the lower end of a well and having a side opening, a flexible tubular guide within the casing and extensible through said side opening, a flexible tubular bit stem extending through and slidable within and extensible from the lower end tension being axially shiftable and extensible l directly into the hole wall.

Awith a drill stem, said of said guide, a drill head upon the lower. end of stem, the other end of said bit stem being coupled guide and bit stem being movable into and out of the casing through said opening, said guide being made up for a portion of its length from the lower end thereof of a plurality of pivotally joined segments, means for turning ,the segmented portion of the guide in a desired direction as such portion is extended through said opening, and means upon the outer sides of the segments for securing the segments together against relative movement as the segmented portion is extended from the casing in the desired direction and for releasing each segment as it moves back into the casing.

`5. A lateral drill mechanism for wells, comprising a tubular casing adapted to be disposed vertically in the lower end of a well hole and having a wall opening, a downwardly and laterally curving oor in the casing leading to the lower edge of said opening, a tubularguide slidable through the casing and having alower portion made up of a plurality of -connected relatively movable segments, said floor functioning to turn the segmented portion of the guide laterally as it passes through the opening, a plurality of latch members carried by and upon the outer sides of the segments for interconnection one with the other as the segmented portion is turned laterally in passing through the opening, means adjacent the opening for engaging and shifting the latch members to eiec't coupling of said latches together as said portion passes through the opening, a tubular flexible drill stem slidable through ythe tubular guide, and a drill head carried upon the lower end of said drill stem.

6. A lateral drill mechanism for wells, comprising a tubular casing adapted to be disposed vertically in the lower end of a well hole and having a wall opening, an articulated tubular guide within the casing and extensible therefrom through said opening, means for eiecting the turning of the guide along an arcuate path as it passes through said opening, coacting means between the casing and the guide for making said guide rigid as itv passes through said opening whereby it will maintain its curved form, a exible tubular blt stem Vextending through and sudable in the guide and projecting at itslower end beyond the lower end of the guide,l and a bit carried upon the lower end of thev exible stem, the. bit stem and'bit being axially si'iiitable through ici ' 'ment of the roller therewith longitudinally with-` i inthe casing.`

and from the lower end of the guide, the upper end ofthe flexible stem being'adaptedjforconnection with a drill stem. i

7. A lateral drilling mechanism'io y prising a tubular ,casing adapted to .be disposed vertically in the lower end of a weil hole and r wells, coniv thelower end thereof made up of a'plurality ofV i having a side wall opening, a tubular guide exftending into saidcasing and comprisinga relatively long` one-piece upper portion anda segmented lower portion, the segments of the lower portion being pivotally joined together, the pivotal connections between the segments including ribs extending axially of the segments andalined to .form a single guide rib extending longitudi nally of the tubular `guide, a guide vgroove within the casing in which said rib slides,V said groove leading to the lower part of the opening, latch'- s ing members carried by the segments upon the 4 sides thereof opposite from said rib, said latching members being relatively movable for inter- 9."A lateraldrilling mechanismfor wells, comprising an elongated tubular'csing adapted to "be disposed vertically inr the 'lower end of a well hole and having a side wall opening, a downwardly lextending curved floor within the casing leading from the side .ofthe casing opposite the 'wallV opening to the lower edge of such opening, a tubular guide slidable in the casing and having pivotally connected segment'swhereby the guide may be curved yalongaii arcuate path in moving i outwardly through the opening across said iioor,

Aa pair of latch members pivotally supported uponv each segment, the pairs of latch members of the segments being in a line extending longitudinally of the guide, the latch member yof. each pair including a bill for' engagement with a notch in the adjacent other latch member, said pairs of Y latch-members being oscillatedv relative to one another to a position in which the bills and notches thereof are out of engagement -when the guide connection` with one another only when the segments have been relativelyroscillated to form the 1 tubular guide in an arc, meansfor effecting the formation o.' the tubular guide in an arc as it is extended lthrough the opening,` meansy adjacent `said opening for interconnecting Vsaid latching members as the guide is formed in the arc. a

bit head carried upon the lower end of the stem, and the upper end of said stem being formed 'for connection with a drill stem. v

v 8. A lateral drilling mechanism for wells, comprising a tubular casing adapted to be disposed vertically in the lower end of a well hole'and having a side wall opening, a tubular guide `err-- tending intovsaidfcasing and comprisingfa rela- `tively long one-piece upper portion and va` selt-v mented lower portion, the segments ofthe lower portion being pivotally joined together, the pivotal connections between the segments including tubular bit stem extendingthrough the guide, a"

ribs extending axially of the segments and alined to forni` a single guide rib extending longitudinally of the tubular guide.i a 'guide groove within the casing in which said rib slides, said groove ,lead-` ing to thel lower part of the opening; latching members carried by the segments upon the sidesf thereof opposite from said ',rib, said ,latching members being relatively,V movable for interconnection with one another only when ythe segments have been relatively oscillated to form the tubular guide in an arc, means for effecting the ior-` .mation of the` tubular guide in an arc .as it is extended through the opening. means adjacent segments aredisposed in av straight line, means carried by the casing for effecting the oscillation 10. A lateral drilling mechanism for wellsn comprising an elongated tubular casing adapted to be disposedV vertically inthelower end of a well hole and having a side wall opening, a downwardly extending curved floor within the casing leading f-rom the side of the casing opposite the wall opening to the lower edge of 'such opening, a tubular guide slidable in'the casing and having the lower end thereof made up of a plurality of pivotally connected segments whereby the guide 'may be curved along an arcuate path in` moving outwardlyV through the opening across said idoor,` a pair of latch members pivotallyv supported upon each segment, the pairs of latch members of the segments being in a line extendinglongitudinally of the guide, the latch mem- "ber of each pair including a bill for engagement i v with a notch in the adjacent other latch member,

said pairs of latch members being oscillated relative to one anotherdto a position in which the bills and notches thereof are out of engagement when the guide segments are disposed in .a

straight line, means carried by the casing for said opening for interconnecting said-i latching members as the guide is formedi'n the arc, a.

tubular bitvstem `extending through the guide, a`

bit head carried upon the lower end ofthe stem, the upperend ofsaid stem being formed for connection ,with a' drill stem; Said bibbeing retractil` ble with the guide and with `the bit titenittiiroughVy said casing opeiiingintoA the casinggai'ollei-Jsnipvlvlr port for the guide disposed beneath vthe `saidfx'llz'o within the casing adjacent thelowerpart of said opening, `saidroller support vbeing',,inoyable fwith" the guide along a pathexteiidingj substantially:

longitudinally of the casing, andimeanii at the lower vend of saidrib for eflfex'zting` afdtachable effectingthe' oscillation of the pairs, of latch.-

members relatively for the interconnection of the bills and notches thereof as the segments move from the casing into a curvedA path whereby said i latches secure' the segments together -against relative movement, a iiexible tubular bit stem" ex- `tending throughthe guide, apertured drill, bitA upon the lower end lof the bit stem, a drill vstern connectedL tothe other end ofithe bitstem. v.the

said t flexible-and metal .linings in the Abit stem being nangedzat their ends and the bit and drill the bit stem. t l

11. A lateral vdrilling mechanism of the character stated, comprising atubular casing de connection with the roller supportI` as,v thefguide signed to be vertically disposed in a well holethe and bit are drawn into tnemsingffor-timove- .75 lcasini; having-1a side wan opening,l a tubular stem ifunctioningto compress the flanged ends of the liningsto` maintain the latter in Vposition in t 'concave side of the arc of the path followed by' .the guide, means carried by the casing adjacent to said opening for actuating said latching elements to couple together the elements of adjacent segments as the guide is moved outwardly from the casing and to uncouple the latching elements of the adjacent segment as the guide is moved back into the casing, a flexible bit stem extending through the guide to the lower end thereof, and a bit carried upon said stem upon the outside of the said lower end of the guide.

12. A drilling mechanism as set iorth in claim 11 in which said Ibit stem is of tubular form for conducting drilling iluid to the bit, the bit stem being operatively coupled to a drill pipe, and a single pipe body forming the upper part of said tubular guide and slidably extending into the tubular casing, said pipe through a portion of its length, from the upper end thereof, being of a diameter to receive the coupling of the drill stem.

13. A lateral drilling mechanism for Wells, comprising4 a tubular casing designed to be disposed vertically in the well hole, and having a side wall opening, a tubular guide extending through said casing to said opening and comprising a plurality of hingedly connected segments, means in the lower part of said opening for guiding said tubular guide laterally through the opening along an arcuate path as the guide is lowered, a pair of latching elements pivotally supported upon each segment upon that side of the segment which'is upon the inner side of the are formed by the guide when the same is extended from the casing, a pair of latch actuating rollers supported upon the inner side of thecasing immediately above said opening and between which the latches of the segments lpass upon longitudinal movement of the guide, said latches being constructed and arranged so that upon passage between the rollers upon outward movement of the guide from the casing each of pair of latches will be coupled together and each will be operatively coupled with a latch ofV an adjacent segment whereby the guide segment will be permanently secured in an are, a exible drill stem extending through said guide and adapted to have rotary and axial movement therein to be extended from the lower end of the guide, a bit carried upon the lower end of the drill stem, and means for coupling a well pipe with the other end of the drill stem.

14. A miem drilling mechanism as set form .in claim 13 in which said flexible bit stem is of tubular and articulated form and said bit is ofA hollow construction having iiuid outlet apertures in communication with the interior of the tubular bit stem.

15. A lateral drilling mechanism as set forth in claim 13 in which the pivotal connecting means between the segments of the tubular guide comprises a rib member extending axially of each segment from the side opposite from the latching elements, the ends of the adjacent rib members of the segment being pivotally coupled together for relative oscillation of the segments on axes extending transversely of the tubular guide, said ribs coacting to form a continuous supporting runner for the tubular guide in its movement into and out of the tubular casing.

16. A lateral drilling mechanism for wells, comprising a tubular casing adapted to be disposed vertically inthe well and having a side wall opening, an arcuate iloor in the lower part of the tubular casing extending upwardly and across the same from the lower edge of the opening, a tubular guide extending through the casing from the top thereof to said opening and comprising in the lower end portion thereof a plurality of segments, said arcuate iloor functioning to guide the tubular guide laterally along an arcuate path in the downward movement of the guide through the casing, a rib member formed from the outer side of each segment and extending axially thereof and disposed upon the outer side of the arc formed by the guide in extending from the casing, pivotal connecting means between said ribs whereby the same cooperate to form a continuous runner adapted to slide over said floor, latching elements carried by said segments upon the sides thereof directly opposite from the ribs, means for effecting the coupling of said latching elements together upon outward movement of the guide to rigidly maintain the segments joined to form an arc, said last means also effecting the disconnecting of the latching elements upon movement oi the tubular guide inwardly, a roller carrier for the tubular guide upon and adapted to have limited movement on said floor in the direction of movement of the guide thereover, means for eiecting vthe automatic coupling and uncoupling of the free end of the guide and the roller support as said free end moves inwardly and outwardly over the floor, a exible bit stem ,extending through said guide and adapted to have rotaryl and axial movement therein, a bit connected with the lower end of said stem, and